Chinese PM wraps up Iceland visit

Iceland's President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson (R) meets with China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao at Bessastadir, the Presidential residence, in Reykjavik on April 20. Jiabao, a geologist by training, was Saturday to visit Iceland's largest geothermal plant after touring a national park and viewing one of the country's best-known geysers

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wrapped up a visit to Iceland on Saturday, the first stage in a four-nation European tour, after concluding an accord on cooperation in the oil-rich Arctic region.

A geologist by training, Wen visited the Hellisheidarvirkjun geothermal plant on a volcanic ridge near Reykjavik on Saturday, accompanied by Icelandic Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson.

China and Iceland have a partnership, through the Orka Energy and Sinopec companies, to develop geothermal energy in China.

The premier voiced "strong support" for moves to develop geothermal energy in his own country. A day earlier, both countries signed a cooperation deal on the geothermal cooperation, as part of a package of six agreements.

Another agreement covered cooperation in the oil-rich Arctic region.

The talks, during what is the first visit by a Chinese premier to Iceland, also yielded accords covering cooperation in marine and polar science and technology and solar energy.